“If you or someone you know is facing losing their home through foreclosure, come to one of these events and share your story with these representatives of the people who protect consumers and try to minimize the chances of people losing their homes. Homeowners who have faced or are facing foreclosure due to financial hardship will be heard. They are invited to share pitfalls and solutions they have experienced with lenders and servicers while trying to save their homes. Also, individuals will be on hand to advise consumers on the best steps they can take to save their homes.

You've heard or read about the $25 million mortage settlement reached between the government and five huge banks, stemming from the banks' abuses and fraud against the public.

Of course, some one's got to try to take advantage of people. The SC Consumer Affairs Department is warning the public to beware.

"Fraudsters are calling consumers and claiming they can tell the consumer if they are eligible for relief under the settlement. The scammer asks the consumer to provide their bank account information so settlement monies can be direct deposited into the account. Consumers beware! In reality, it will take six to nine months for the settlement administrator, attorneys general and the banks to figure out who will be eligible for assistance. Those who qualify for relief under the settlement will be contacted by letter. If a consumer is contacted by phone about the settlement, SCDCA encourages them to hang up and call your bank directly.

For more information on this settlement, consumers may also visit: www.nationalmortgagesettlement.com/help.

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From the HUD website, several "help" programs are in motion. It appears that most are for the underwater homes where the value has decreased below the mortgage amount or for those unemployed and don't have enough money to make payments.

It also sounds like most of us who have been making payments on time or have most of the mortgage paid off will not qualify. The home must be in foreclosure and be the primary home.

This article says it all. I have contacted several of our state legislators on this matter and made them fully aware of the fraud and abuse by illegal aliens, and banks knowing damn well they were illegal in the first place.

I suggested that banks and the illegal aliens who committed this crime be held accountable ( not deported) and that all of the people that are being helped on thier mortgages be investigated for such fraud by using E-verify to make sure that the person is who they claim to be in the first place.

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